South Africa—Self-Employed (%)
Category: LaborSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #111 of 148Updated April 2026
Latest Value
55.6%
2024
YoY Change
+1.0%
2023 → 2024
Global Rank
#111
of 148 countries
Maximum
59.1%
2001
Minimum
50.5%
2020
CAGR
+0.4%
25 years
Last
55.6%
Previous
55.0%
Highest
59.1%
Lowest
50.5%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
South Africa's self-employed (%) was 55.6% in 2024, ranking #111 out of 148 countries. This represents a +1.0% change from 2023. Over the past 25 years, the highest recorded value was 59.1% (2001) and the lowest was 50.5% (2020). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 55.6% | +1.0% |
| 2023 | 55.0% | +2.8% |
| 2022 | 53.5% | +2.8% |
| 2021 | 52.0% | +2.9% |
| 2020 | 50.5% | -8.5% |
| 2019 | 55.3% | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 55.2% | -0.4% |
| 2017 | 55.4% | +1.2% |
| 2016 | 54.7% | +0.2% |
| 2015 | 54.6% | +2.4% |
| 2014 | 53.3% | +0.4% |
| 2013 | 53.1% | +1.1% |
| 2012 | 52.5% | +0.6% |
| 2011 | 52.2% | -0.2% |
| 2010 | 52.3% | -3.1% |
| 2009 | 54.0% | -3.3% |
| 2008 | 55.8% | -2.5% |
| 2007 | 57.2% | -1.4% |
| 2006 | 58.0% | +1.9% |
| 2005 | 57.0% | +3.1% |
| 2004 | 55.2% | -3.0% |
| 2003 | 57.0% | -3.2% |
| 2002 | 58.8% | -0.4% |
| 2001 | 59.1% | +16.4% |
| 2000 | 50.8% |
Top Countries — Self-Employed (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bahamas, The | 97.7% | 2023 |
| 2 | Qatar | 87.4% | 2022 |
| 3 | Tanzania | 85.3% | 2024 |
| 4 | Nigeria | 81.5% | 2024 |
| 5 | United Arab Emirates | 81.4% | 2024 |
| 6 | Cambodia | 80.0% | 2023 |
| 7 | Niger | 79.6% | 2022 |
| 8 | Bolivia | 79.6% | 2024 |
| 9 | Uganda | 79.4% | 2021 |
| 10 | Mozambique | 78.8% | 2022 |